Favorite Links
Sky Scanner
Cheap flights in Europe
Weather
Plan the best time to go to Europe
Deutsche Bahn
Train schedules in Europe
Oanda
Currency converter
Travel Insurance
Options and information
Passports
Information on obtaining passports
Cell Phones vs. Phone Cards
Stay in touch overseas
Elizabeth Holmes
Recommended travel agent
VAT
Value-Added Tax refund information
Free 2008 Tours Catalog
We'll toss in a free "Tour Experience" DVD
Contact the Tour Department
Phone: 425/608-4217
Email: tour@ricksteves.com
Mailing Address:
Rick Steves ETBD
Attn: Tours
P.O.Box 2009
Edmonds, WA 98020
Street Address:
130 4th Avenue North
Edmonds, WA 98020
Hours: Mon-Sat: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed Sunday
Tips for Traveling with your Kids on a Rick Steves' Tour
- Read our tips for traveling with your kids specifically on our Family Europe in 14 Days tour or our Family Paris & the Heart of France in 11 Days tour.
Traveling on a tour with kids can be a rewarding, memorable experience — for you, your child, and for other members of your tour group. However, kids also bring special concerns to a traveling group. This information is designed to give you an important "heads-up" to avoid problems we've experienced on previous tours, so you and your child will be better prepared, and can get more enjoyment out of your group travel experience.
Most importantly, please be aware of your child's whereabouts at all times! No matter how much your child may enjoy spending time with other tour members, your child is your responsibility — never the responsibility of other tour members or our guides. Out of sight, out of mind, does not apply on a Rick Steves tour. We've had children get lost for an hour or two — a traumatic experience for all involved — while their parents "safely" assumed they were under the watchful eye of another tour member. Never assume that someone else is caring for your child without getting permission first, and then check on them frequently.
Europe is less restrictive of nudity and pornography than America. During the course of your trip, you and your kids may stumble upon TV programs and ads (even in hotels where we stay) that could be considered obscene. We cannot control this, so it will be your responsibility to monitor your kids' TV viewing.
Please be aware of the impression your child makes on the rest of the tour group. While kids add a delightful aspect to our tours, a restless kid can be disruptive — especially on long bus rides. An iPod/MP3/CD player for music or recorded books is a good way for a kid to pass the time. Electronic games need to either have earphones or sound that can be turned off. A tour member sitting across from, in front of, or behind your child might not appreciate the repetitious little Game Boy soundtrack!
Bring books that your child can read alone, or that you can read to your child. Do some research prior to your trip to find books about the areas you are traveling through, in a format suited to your child's age and reading level. This might go a long way in sustaining your child's interest in being in a foreign country.
Bring along some toys, games, or reading material that your child has never seen or played with before. The surprise element is great, and if it is new and unfamiliar, the sustained interest factor goes way up.
There are many retail stores around now that specialize in games of all varieties, and the selection of games sized and suited for travel goes way beyond the perennial deck of cards and miniature magnetic chess set.
Have your child keep a journal. You can work together on it, and paste in little pictures, paper flags, and museum receipts. Collecting a patch (small, lightweight, packable!) from every place you visit, which can be easily pasted into a scrapbook or sewn onto a school pack, can become a wonderful "souvenir hunt" and a colorful conversation piece.
If your child has food allergies, your guide will do everything possible to help you find alternatives. However, group meals often do not include a choice of entrees. Just like the adults, kids on tours are expected to be flexible, and to eat what they are served (extra or alternative food will be at your expense).
Knowing your child, you will be able to sense when he or she may not be in the mood for a planned group activity. Don't hesitate to do something independently from the group, but try to give your guide some advance notice (so your guide doesn't buy too many tickets, the group doesn't wait for you, and in case your absence affects rendezvous plans later on). Your guides and the hotel staff can give you suggestions for local kid-friendly activities — including directions to the nearest toy store or park. Then you and your child can get rid of that excess energy stored up on that long bus ride by throwing around a frisbee you just bought at the toy store!
We hope you find these tips to be helpful. We're looking forward to a great trip together!